"In Search of a Prince" by Toni Shiloh

Brielle Adebayo is fully content teaching at a New York City public school and taking annual summer vacations with her mother to Martha's Vineyard. But everything changes when her mom drops the mother of all bombshells--Brielle is a princess in the kingdom of Ọlọrọ Ilé, Africa, and she must immediately assume her royal position, since the health of her grandfather, King Tiwa Jimoh Adebayo, is failing. Distraught by her mother's betrayal, Brielle is further left spinning when the Ọlọrọ Ilé Royal Council brings up an old edict that states she must marry before assuming the throne or the crown will be passed to another. Uncertain who to choose from the council's list of bachelors, she struggles with the decision along with the weight of her new role in a new country. With her world totally shaken, she must take a chance on love and brave the perils a wrong decision may bring.

I'm not big on contemporary royalty fiction, but this one was really well written. Superficially, the story is like The Princess Diaries, but I'd say it's a thoughtful, faith-filled, grown-up version. Brielle isn't worried about looking and acting like a perfect princess--she's concerned with learning about the country, honoring the people, and choosing what's best for them, even when it doesn't feel like it's what's best for her. It means giving up her life for something she never dreamed she'd have to prepare for. She has her flaws, but she's a very steady, responsible person (not bad characteristics for a middle school teacher). I was feeling anxiety on her behalf as her timeline kept getting cut shorter and pressures kept piling on her. I wouldn't want to be in her shoes!

It was wonderful to read a story set in Africa. While the country itself is fictional, the culture and history are based on the countries surrounding it. Ọlọrọ Ilé might be tropical rather than edge-of-the-Sahara, but it still definitely evoked memories of Dakar, Senegal for me (especially discussion of the gorgeous fabrics--I totally agree with Iris's passion on that front). Speaking of Iris, I'm glad to see there is a story her coming next! She makes a great best friend, and I'm excited to see her get her own happy ending.

Christy Award winner of the Amplify Award in 2022!